DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE—ENVIRONMENT—MARINE PARKS—BOUNDARIES

The Deputy President (Senator Parry) informed the Senate that Senator Fifield had proposed that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion:

The failure of the Gillard Government to properly consider the level of risk to Australia's marine environment from the commercial, charter and recreational fishing sectors when establishing boundaries and zones for proposed marine parks and the capacity to manage those risks by methods other than just huge closures and lock outs.

The proposal was supported by four senators and the matter was discussed.